I got my copy of the new book "A Charming Exchange 25 Jewelry Projects to Create & Share" by Kelly Snelling and Ruth Rae. It is a beautiful book and I am so proud to be one of the 37 creative people who were included.
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I met Ruth online when she saw some of my jewelry photos on flickr. When she and Kelly decided to write this book she asked me to be a part of it. I then met Ruth in person at Artfest in 2007, shortly before all the projects had to be completed but before the actual book was written. I had fun hearing about the book in all of it's stages and it is such a big accomplishment for it to be finally in our hot little hands.
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Here is my necklace up close with all the additions of the other 4 jewelry artists that were part of our "round robin". I had never done anything like this before. It was thrilling! To wait for the next installment and see how the feel of the piece would change each time a new element was added. On the other page is a quote that I really get a kick out of. Isn't it so true?
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This spread has some of the step out photos of how to make my "barbed wire" looking chain. Don't worry, there are no sharp spots, it is harmless. Ha!
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I got to work on Crystal Neubauer's necklace and at first, because I usually make my own components, this camera lens surprised me and gave me the real challenge of "what am I going to add to this?" When the idea came to me, I made 2 tube beads with latin words on them out of PMC that sit on either side of the wire holding the lens. I also made the clasp from PMC and the hook from wrapped wire. Seeing it finished is a treat because I was the second to work on it and it looked pretty bare compared to this. I see how it all came together and how each artist was out to make their best contribution.
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You should see all the earrings! People did many combinations and collaborations to make pages and pages of stunning inspiration.
Following are two more pieces that I just love:
This darling "Pillow Person" necklace by Katie Kendrick, Kelly Snelling and Ruth Rae.
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and this cool piece that includes parts by Martha Brown and Nancy Nelson, 2 of Ruth's friends that I met at Artfest back in 2007. We had so much fun that year! I still remember laughing so hard my sides hurt. Nancy brought these neat cut out metal angels and gave them away as her trades. I got 2, one for me and one for my daughter. Since then I have seen many of these angels embellished and each one is a revelation of the person who altered it.
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Well, I love the book! It is colorful and modern and I think I am going to try some of the projects in it. In the book are photo tutorials showing how to make some of the basic parts, like twisted wire and rings and hooks and other kinds of media additions. After all, it's nice to be able to make some jewelry that is truly mixed media in a time when precious metal prices are climbing daily.
And if you want to learn more about it and see the list of artists who are in the book with me go to the blog "A Charming Exchange".
